Chikungunya

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which tends to be active during the day. Symptoms typically occur a few days to a week after the bite and range from a sudden onset of high fever, chills and headaches to redness of the eyes, muscle and joint pain and a rash, usually on the trunk and extremities. Joint swelling, especially in the small joints of the hands and feet, can also occur. For certain infected persons (approx. 5-10%), severe joint swelling and pain persist for several months or even years after the fever has subsided.

Chikungunya occurs on the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia and the Pacific islands, Central and South America including the south of the USA, the Caribbean islands, sub-Saharan Africa (but also Mali, Sudan and Chad) and the Arabian Peninsula. There have also been isolated outbreaks in southern European countries.

In Switzerland, a vaccination against the chikungunya virus is currently not approved. However, preventive measures can be taken to protect against mosquito bites (such as mosquito repellent on the skin and impregnated/insecticide-treated clothing), the use of mosquito nets and wearing long clothing).